Learning about ocelots

March 2, 2010

Shannon Tompkins/Chronicle

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Hills along the Rio Soto la Marina in northeast Mexico are carpeted with a blanket of thorny brush and low trees so thick as to be impenetrable to humans. This ecosystem - called Tampaulipan Thornscrub - is premier habitat for ocelots. "They like the thickest cover they can find," says Dr. Mike Tewes, who has been studying the medium-size wild felines for almost 30 years. can find," says Dr. Mike Tewes, who has been studying the medium-size wild felines for almost 30 years.

Shannon Tompkins/Chronicle

16of22

Hills along the Rio Soto la Marina in northeast Mexico are carpeted with a blanket of thorny brush and low trees so thick as to be impenetrable to humans. This ecosystem - called Tampaulipan Thornscrub - is premier habitat for ocelots. "They like the thickest cover they can find," says Dr. Mike Tewes, who has been studying the medium-size wild felines for almost 30 years. can find," says Dr. Mike Tewes, who has been studying the medium-size wild felines for almost 30 years.